ROUTE 1 CRUDEN BAY HATTON CIRCULAR (18.5 miles).Moderate A pleasant short circular route with breathtaking views over the North Sea coast on the way back into Cruden Bay. Start in the car park on Harbour Road, Cruden Bay. From the car park head back to the main road and turn left, climb up the hill for 0.5 mile and turn right just past St Olafs Hotel into Golf Road. Follow the windy road past Nethermill Farm and after a further mile turn left, just after the trout ponds on the left, signed, Cruden Old Church. Cross the burn over the old bridge, climb the short hill and after 200m turn right in front of the Parish Church signed, Hatton. Take care, as visibility is poor. Follow the minor road past Ardiffery Mains to the T junction and turn right, to join the A90. As you enter Hatton take care as you cross the A90, across the A90 follow the road round past the Hatton Mill Hotel and climb out of the village for approx a mile and continue to the first cross roads, unmarked, and turn left. (If you go under the electric wires ahead, you have missed the junction). Follow the road passing Helmsdale and Easter Auquharney. The road then drops to cross the Waters of Cruden before bending to the right. On the bend take the minor road to the right, unsigned, to pass Easterton. At the junction with the A952 turn left and immediately left again signed, Berryslacks (dismount and use the verge to avoid using the main road). Continue to the junction with the A90, take care turning right, after 100m turn left, signed Pitlurg/Colliston. Climb for about 0.5 miles and cross over an old railway bridge, the road undulates for a further 0.75 miles where at the bend you need to bear left. You shortly pass an old mansion house complete with walled garden and doocote. There is a slight uphill after which you need to bear right, signed Colliston. After approx. 300m on you pass the ruins of an old chapel. Follow the road and after a short decent the route bears left, this leads to the junction with the A975 passing Slains School and Schoolhouse just before the junction. At the cross- roads go straight across, taking care as there is poor visibility especially left. After about a 200m climb turn left onto the unsigned narrow road. Take a break to admire Meikle Loch and the plains of Aberdeenshire behind you. Follow the road past Alehousehill turn right and then after 0.5 miles, immediately after School House, right again. Bear left at the corner and continue past the entrance to Clochtow. Follow the road past the FPS Booster Station, after which the coastline of Buchan opens out on your right. Continue along the minor road to the Whinnyfold turn off, bear left, look out for the views across Cruden Bay with Slains Castle beyond on the headland. Continue to the junction with the A975, take care as you turn right and follow the A975 back into Cruden Bay.